How Long Does a Landlord Have to Send Move-Out Charges?

Start with the facts behind the charge

There is no nationwide answer to “how long does a landlord have to send move-out charges?” Many state laws regulate security-deposit accounting, but the exact deadline, trigger, documentation and treatment of claims above the deposit vary.

Free state-aware deadline tool

Choose one of our 50 verified states and calculate the ordinary timeline with state-specific caveats. Rule-aware states route back to the underlying source rather than forcing a misleading date.

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Documents worth gathering

State where the property is located
Date tenancy ended
Date possession/keys were returned
Forwarding address notice
Date the landlord mailed or delivered the statement

Questions to work through

Is the charge being deducted from a deposit or demanded separately?
What event triggers the state deadline?
Does the state permit an estimate or interim accounting?
Can the lease extend the statutory period?
Is a separate deadline used for above-deposit claims?

Verified examples show why one number is misleading

California uses a 21-calendar-day framework. Texas generally uses 30 days but a written forwarding address matters. Florida separates no-claim and claim notices. Arizona excludes weekends and legal holidays. Virginia uses 45 days and has a narrow contractor extension.

A deposit deadline may not answer every above-deposit claim

Some states separately address claims exceeding the security deposit or later lawsuits. The fact that a deposit accounting deadline passed does not always answer whether a separate claim can ever be pursued; check the state-specific rule.

Verified state guides

California deadline
21 calendar days.Texas deadline
30-day framework; forwarding address matters.Florida deadline
15 days no claim / 30 days claim notice.New York deadline
14 days for covered units.Arizona deadline
14 days excluding weekends/legal holidays.Colorado deadline
30 days default, lease up to 60.Georgia deadline
30-day framework.North Carolina deadline
30-day accounting / 60-day final when unresolved.Washington deadline
30 days plus documentation.Virginia deadline
45 days; narrow +15 contractor case.

Educational information only. This guide does not decide whether a particular charge is legal or valid. State law, local rules, lease language and evidence can change the answer.